Author: Admin

When most people think of Valentine’s Day, they picture chocolate boxes, red roses, and greeting cards. But if you’re a beekeeper, February 14th carries a completely different kind of meaning — one that goes back over 1,700 years.

St. Valentine is the patron saint of beekeepers.

That’s not a typo, and it’s not some fringe piece of trivia. It’s recognized history. Alongside lovers, couples, and (somewhat surprisingly) people with epilepsy, St. Valentine has been the designated protector of beekeepers since 496 A.D. — charged with ensuring the sweetness of honey and the protection of those who keep bees.

As beekeepers ourselves for over 14 years here in Johnston County, North Carolina, we think this is a story worth telling. So this Valentine’s Day, let’s go beyond the candy hearts and look at what this ancient connection between love, bees, and the patron saint really means — and why it still matters to us today.

Who Was St. Valentine?

The historical record is a bit murky — and that’s being generous. There may have been as many as three different men named Valentine (or Valentinus, from the Latin word meaning “worthy” or “strong”) who were martyred in the early centuries of Christianity. The most commonly cited was a 3rd-century Roman priest and physician who lived during the reign of Emperor Claudius II.

According to the legends, Claudius had banned marriages because he believed unmarried men made better soldiers. Valentine defied the emperor by secretly marrying Christian couples. When he was discovered, he was imprisoned, tortured, and ultimately executed on February 14th, around 269 A.D. Before his death, the story goes that he healed the blindness of his jailer’s daughter and signed a farewell letter to her — “from your Valentine.” That phrase has echoed across seventeen centuries.

His feast day — February 14th — didn’t become associated with romantic love until the Middle Ages, partly influenced by the medieval English belief that mid-February was when birds began to pair off and mate for the season. That timing wasn’t a coincidence. February is also when nature begins to stir, and for beekeepers, it’s the threshold of a new season.

Why Bees? The Ancient Connection Between Love and the Hive

To understand why Valentine became the patron of beekeepers, you have to understand how deeply bees have been woven into the symbolism of love, fertility, and devotion across cultures — long before Valentine’s Day existed.

In ancient Greece, bees were sacred creatures connected to the divine. The goddess Aphrodite — goddess of love and beauty — counted the honeycomb among her symbols. Her priestesses at the temple of Eryx were called “Melissae,” the Greek word for bees. The Pythagoreans worshipped bees as Aphrodite’s sacred creatures, fascinated by the perfect hexagons of their honeycomb, which seemed to reflect an underlying order in the universe.

Then there’s the story of Cupid (known as Eros to the Greeks), the god of love himself. In one of the oldest surviving versions of the myth, young Eros sneaks into a beehive to steal honey and is stung by the bees. He runs to his mother Aphrodite, crying that something so small could cause so much pain. Aphrodite smiles and reminds him that he, too, is small — yet the wounds his arrows cause are far greater. Love and the bee sting: sweetness and pain intertwined. That metaphor has resonated for thousands of years.

Even the Hindu god of love, Kamadeva, carries a bowstring made of honeybees — representing what the ancient Sanskrit texts called “sweet torment.” The ancient Egyptians believed bees were born from the tears of Ra, the sun god, and used honey in everything from medicine to burial rites. Celtic cultures saw bees as winged messengers between the physical world and the spiritual realm, carriers of wisdom and hidden knowledge.

Bees, in nearly every civilization that encountered them, became symbols of love, devotion, sacrifice, community, and the divine. When the early Church was looking for a patron saint to watch over beekeepers and their sacred craft, Valentine — the saint of love and devotion — was a natural fit.

February 14th: A Beekeeper’s Holiday

Here’s what makes this connection even more meaningful for those of us who actually keep bees: the timing of Valentine’s Day lines up perfectly with the beekeeping calendar.

Mid-February is when the beekeeping year begins to shift. The days are noticeably longer. In parts of the southeastern U.S. — including right here in Johnston County — you’ll start seeing the first early blooms. The queen is beginning to ramp up her egg-laying inside the hive, preparing the colony for the explosion of spring growth ahead.

For beekeepers, February is a month of watchful hope. We’re checking on hive stores to make sure the bees have enough food to make it through the last stretch of winter. We’re lifting the backs of hives to estimate weight, peeking at entrances for signs of activity on warm days, and looking for wax crumbs or early pollen loads that tell us the colony is alive and building. It’s the beekeeping equivalent of holding your breath — and then breathing again when you see those first foragers coming home with tiny baskets of golden pollen on their legs.

Historically, this was also the time when beekeepers would “bless” their hives for the coming season. In the British Isles, bees and livestock were commonly “wassailed” in January and February — a ceremonial toast to ensure health, vigor, and a good harvest. The tradition of telling the bees about important family events (births, deaths, marriages) was taken very seriously across Europe for centuries. You told your bees everything, because they were considered members of the family.

So when early beekeepers looked to February 14th and saw it was the feast of a saint already associated with love, devotion, and protection — it made perfect sense to claim him as their own. Valentine wasn’t just the saint of romantic love. He was the protector of the creatures that embodied it.

He’s Not the Only One: Other Patron Saints of Bees

While Valentine may be the most recognized, he’s part of a long tradition of saints connected to bees and beekeeping across Europe and beyond. A few worth knowing:

St. Ambrose of Milan (4th century) is considered the other leading patron of beekeepers. Legend says that when Ambrose was an infant, a swarm of bees landed on his face and left a drop of honey on his lips — foreshadowing the eloquent words he’d become famous for. He’s often depicted in art with a beehive, and the word “mellifluous” (honey-tongued) is traced directly back to descriptions of his preaching.

St. Gobnait (also known as St. Abigail or St. Deborah) is the patroness of bees and beekeeping in Ireland. Unlike some saints whose connection to bees is symbolic, Gobnait was an actual beekeeper. Celtic lore held bees in extraordinarily high esteem — the Celtic peoples believed the soul left the body as a bee or butterfly. Gobnait’s feast day? February 11th — just three days before Valentine’s Day.

St. Modomnoc, an Irish monk who studied at St. David’s monastery in Wales, became beloved by the monastery’s bees. When he tried to sail home to Ireland, the bees followed his ship — twice — until the abbot gifted them to him. He’s credited with bringing beekeeping to Ireland, and his feast day falls on February 13th. That’s three bee-related feast days in four days — right in the heart of mid-February.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux earned the title “Doctor Mellifluus” (the Honey-Sweet Doctor) for the sweetness and power of his writing, connecting honey metaphor to spiritual eloquence in the French tradition.

It’s remarkable that so many saints connected to beekeeping share feast days clustered around mid-February — the very moment when bees begin stirring back to life across the Northern Hemisphere.

What This Means to Us at Shuga Bee Farm

We’re not here to preach. We’re beekeepers. But we’d be lying if we said this history doesn’t resonate with us every time February rolls around.

Beekeeping, at its core, is an act of love and devotion. You don’t keep bees because it’s easy or profitable. You keep them because you’re drawn to something bigger than yourself — the hum of a healthy hive, the miracle of watching a single colony turn wildflowers into liquid gold, the responsibility of caring for 60,000 tiny lives that never asked for your help but thrive because of it.

We’ve been doing this for over 14 years across three apiaries here in Johnston County. We’ve never used chemicals on our hives. We harvest our honey raw, unfiltered, and unheated. We do it the slow way, the hard way, the right way — because that’s what the bees deserve.

So this Valentine’s Day, whether you’re celebrating with a partner, spending time with family, or just enjoying a quiet day — take a moment to think about the bees. They’re out there right now, in hives across Johnston County and all over the world, doing the same thing they’ve done for millions of years: working together, building something beautiful, and making the world a little sweeter.

And if you want to do something really special for a nature lover or honey enthusiast in your life, we’re still accepting signups for our Host a Hive program — give someone their very own beehive for the season. Now that’s a Valentine’s gift St. Valentine himself would approve of.

Happy Valentine’s Day from our hives to your home.

— Shuga Bee Farm

Want to learn more about our bees and honey? Browse our raw, chemical-free honey from three Johnston County apiaries, or check out our Host a Hive program before spots fill up for 2026.

At Shuga Bee Farm, we’ve spent over 14 years producing raw, unfiltered, chemical-free honey right here in Johnston County, North Carolina. Honey is a wonderful natural food, and we’re proud of every jar that leaves our farm. But as much as we love what we do, there’s one message we never want anyone to miss: honey should never be given to children under 12 months of age.

This isn’t just our opinion — it’s the clear, consistent guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the World Health Organization (WHO). The reason comes down to a rare but serious illness called infant botulism.

What Is Infant Botulism?

Infant botulism is a serious illness caused by a toxin-producing bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. The spores of this bacterium are found naturally in soil, dust, and certain foods — including honey. While these spores are completely harmless to older children and adults, an infant’s digestive system tells a very different story.

In babies younger than 12 months, the gut has not yet developed enough beneficial bacteria to defend against C. botulinum spores. When an infant ingests these spores, they can germinate and grow inside the baby’s intestines, producing a dangerous toxin called botulinum toxin. This toxin attacks the nervous system and can cause muscle weakness, breathing difficulties, and in severe cases, can be life-threatening.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Symptoms of infant botulism typically appear within 18 to 36 hours after a baby ingests contaminated honey, though onset can sometimes take up to 14 days. If your baby has consumed honey and you notice any of the following symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately:

The early signs can be subtle. Constipation is often the very first indicator, sometimes appearing days before other symptoms. If your infant shows any unusual changes in behavior, feeding, or muscle tone after any potential honey exposure, contact your pediatrician right away. Early treatment leads to much better outcomes.

Common Myths and Misconceptions

“But it’s just a little bit — surely a tiny taste is fine?”

No. Even a very small amount of honey can contain enough C. botulinum spores to cause infant botulism. There is no safe amount of honey for babies under 12 months. The risk is not dose-dependent in the way many people assume — it takes only a tiny number of spores to colonize an infant’s immature gut.

“What about pasteurized or store-bought honey?”

Pasteurization kills many bacteria, but C. botulinum spores are extremely heat-resistant. Standard pasteurization temperatures used for commercial honey are nowhere near high enough to destroy these spores. This means pasteurized honey carries the same infant botulism risk as raw honey.

“Can I use honey in baked goods or cooked recipes for my baby?”

Home cooking and baking do not reliably reach the sustained temperatures needed to destroy botulism spores. Unless a product has been commercially sterilized through industrial processes — such as pressure canning at 250°F (121°C) for an extended period — you should assume honey-containing foods are not safe for infants under one year.

“Honey is natural, so isn’t it healthier than sugar for babies?”

While honey does offer health benefits for older children and adults, infants under 12 months should not consume any added sweeteners at all, according to pediatric nutrition guidelines. Breast milk and formula provide all the nutrition babies need. The “natural” quality of honey does not make it safe for developing digestive systems.

“My grandmother gave us honey as babies and we were fine.”

Infant botulism wasn’t formally identified until 1976, and awareness has grown significantly since then. Many babies who were given honey were fortunate, but some were not. We now have strong scientific evidence about the risk, and every major pediatric health organization in the world advises against giving honey to infants. It’s simply not worth the gamble.

“Can I put honey on a pacifier to soothe my baby?”

Absolutely not. This is one of the most common ways infants are accidentally exposed to honey. Even a thin coating on a pacifier introduces enough spores to pose a real danger. If your baby is fussy, consult your pediatrician about safe soothing methods.

What to Do If Your Baby Accidentally Ingests Honey

Accidents happen — a well-meaning family member or caregiver may not be aware of the risk. If your infant under 12 months has consumed honey in any form, stay calm but take the following steps:

Monitor closely for any of the warning signs listed above, especially constipation, weak cry, and poor feeding, for up to two weeks after exposure. Contact your pediatrician promptly to report the exposure, even if your baby seems fine. They may want to monitor your child or provide specific guidance. Seek emergency care immediately if your baby develops any symptoms of muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, or changes in feeding behavior.

With prompt medical treatment, most infants with botulism recover fully. The treatment — botulism immune globulin (BabyBIG) — is most effective when administered early, which is why awareness and quick action are so important.

Spread the Word

One of the most important things you can do is share this information. Make sure everyone who cares for your baby — grandparents, babysitters, daycare providers, and family friends — knows that honey is off-limits until after the first birthday. A quick conversation now can prevent a serious medical emergency later.

At Shuga Bee Farm, we believe that being a responsible honey producer means more than just making great honey. It means making sure our community has the knowledge to enjoy it safely. We put safety information on every jar we sell, and we encourage every beekeeper and honey seller to do the same.

If you have questions about honey safety or any of our products, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always happy to talk bees, honey, and keeping your family safe.

— Shuga Bee Farm

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your child’s health. If you believe your infant may have consumed honey and is showing symptoms, call your pediatrician or seek emergency medical attention immediately. In an emergency, call 911.

We get asked all the time — “Do you wholesale?” or “Can I get a discount if I buy a case?” — and the short answer is no. But we think you deserve the longer answer, because it says a lot about who we are, what we believe, and why our honey costs what it costs.

At Shuga Bee Farm, we’ve been keeping bees in Johnston County, North Carolina for over 14 years. We’re a small, family-owned operation — not a factory, not a warehouse, not a brand slapped on someone else’s product. Every jar of honey we sell comes from our hives, tended by our hands, right here in our community. And that’s exactly why we won’t cut corners on price.

What You’re Really Paying For

When you pick up a jar of Shuga Bee Farm honey, you’re not just buying something sweet to put on your biscuit. You’re paying for an entire year of beekeeping — the good days, the hard days, and everything in between.

Our bees require year-round care. That means regular hive inspections, disease monitoring, pest management, feeding during nectar dearths, replacing aging equipment, and sometimes rebuilding after losses. We never use pesticides or chemicals on our hives. That commitment to chemical-free beekeeping takes more time, more attention, and more hands-on work than conventional methods — but it’s the only way we’ll do it.

Then there’s everything that happens after the harvest. We extract, strain, and bottle every jar ourselves. Our honey is raw, unfiltered, unheated, and unmixed — meaning we don’t blend it with honey from other sources, we don’t heat it to make it flow faster, and we don’t ultrafilter out the pollen and good stuff. That’s what makes it real. But it also means it takes longer and produces less than the industrial approach.

Why We Don’t Wholesale

Wholesaling means selling our honey to a retailer at a steep discount so they can mark it back up on their shelf. For a large commercial producer churning out thousands of pounds, the math works. For a small family farm like ours, it doesn’t — not even close.

We don’t have access to bulk pricing on jars, labels, or supplies. We can’t negotiate volume discounts on equipment or shipping. Every single cost we carry is at small-business scale, which means our margins are razor thin to begin with. Wholesaling would mean either selling at a loss or cutting the quality of what we produce. We won’t do either.

The truth is, we don’t operate at a profit most years. We often don’t even break even. Every dollar that comes in goes right back to the bees — feeding them, housing them, treating them with care, and making sure the next season’s harvest is just as good as the last. This isn’t a side hustle we’re trying to scale. It’s a labor of love, and we’d rather do it right than do it big.

What Makes Our Honey Different

We’re proud to produce award-winning, certified raw honey that is everything cheap honey isn’t. Our honey is never heated, which preserves the natural enzymes, antioxidants, and beneficial compounds that make raw honey so valuable. It’s never ultrafiltered, so all the local pollen stays in — which is exactly what customers looking for local honey want. It’s never blended or mixed with honey from other sources, so when we say it’s from Johnston County, we mean every drop. And it comes from hives that are managed without chemicals or pesticides, because that’s the right way to treat both the bees and the people who eat their honey.

We can tell you exactly which apiary your jar came from, what zip code the bees foraged in, and what season it was harvested. That level of traceability is something no mass-produced honey can offer, and it’s something we’ll never compromise on.

Why We Don’t Discount

We respect our customers enough to price our honey honestly. Our price reflects the real cost of production — no inflated retail markup, no “sale” gimmicks, no fake discounts. What you see is what it genuinely costs to produce ethical, local, raw honey at a small-farm scale.

Offering discounts would mean one of two things: either we were overcharging to begin with (we aren’t), or we’d be absorbing a loss we can’t afford. Neither is honest, and neither serves our customers or our bees well.

We’d rather sell less honey at a fair price than sacrifice the quality, integrity, or sustainability of what we do. That’s a decision we’ve made as a family, and it’s one we’re at peace with.

What You’re Really Supporting

When you buy a jar of Shuga Bee Farm honey, your money doesn’t go to a corporation or a distributor. It goes directly to supporting pollinators and the ecosystems they sustain. It goes to a family that has dedicated over 14 years to sustainable, chemical-free beekeeping. It supports local agriculture and the Johnston County community. And it supports a small business that puts the welfare of bees above the bottom line.

That’s not something you get from a bear-shaped bottle on a grocery store shelf. And it’s the reason our loyal customers come back year after year — because they understand the value of what they’re getting and who they’re supporting.

If you have questions about our honey, our practices, or our pricing, we’re always happy to have that conversation. Transparency is part of who we are.

Thank you for understanding, and for choosing to support small-scale beekeeping.

Warmly,
Shuga Bee Farm